Warship takes on Nato mine exercise two years after hitting one in the Black Sea

A joint Nato exercise is currently underway in the Black Sea which will see naval vessels take part in mine defence measures and improve their interoperability.

The Romanian minesweeper Lieutenant Dimitrie Nicolescu, which was involved in an incident in 2022 where she was struck by a device during a mission in the Black Sea, will be taking part in the Bulgarian-led Exercise Poseidon 24.

Running until 9 November, the training exercise will enhance interoperability, cooperation and mutual understanding of the three participating nations.

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The Romanian Ministry of National Defence said: "Between 4 and 9 November, the naval group will take part in the multinational Exercise Poseidon 24, organised by the Bulgarian Naval Forces, which will include activities to ensure freedom of navigation and the neutralisation of sea mines.

"Lieutenant Dimitrie Nicolescu left on 1 November 2024, from the military port of Constanța to participate, together with military ships from Bulgaria and Turkey, in the third activation of the Black Sea Sea Mine Action Task Force.

"The maritime vessel Grigore Antipa [another Romanian ship] will also participate in the mission in joint training activities, including in the field of diving and hyperbaric medical assistance."

The maritime exercise will also work to improve tactical level planning of mine countermeasures operations by Nato members.

Nato's Allied Joint Force Command Naples said: "This week, Exercise Poseidon 24 is underway in the Black Sea, aimed at enhancing mine defence measures and improving interoperability among units and commands."

Since the beginning of the Ukrainian conflict in 2022, the Black Sea has seen numerous actions undertaken by the Russian Navy, involving mines and drones.

On 8 September 2022, Lieutenant Dimitrie Nicolescu was deployed to destroy a mine that had been reported by another vessel.

Due to bad weather, the mine was carried adrift in the storm and hit the aft area of the ship, blowing a small hole at the waterline which flooded the engine compartment.

Nobody on board was hurt and she was towed back to the port of Constanța.